Dielectric breakdown chemical reactor for liquids

Abstract

This invention relates to the enhancement of chemical reactions by applying a high frequency electric field to a material. The frequency and amplitude of the electric field are selected in accordance with the properties of the reacting components in the bulk of chemical reactor. In general, the high frequency range is determined by the dielectric properties of reactant(s), that is, at any given temperature, when, for example, the specific conductivity starts to grow from its low frequency value. Typically, frequencies in the range of 100 kHz to 200 MHz or greater are suitable for the enhancement of the reactions. An electric field of any shape having Fourier components that when applied to a chemical process exhibits growth in the real part of conductivity relative to the low frequency value is of particular importance.

1. A method of controlling a chemical process involving a liquid continuous sample that behaves substantially as a dielectric when subject to an electric field having a carrying frequency below 60 Hz and exhibits an increased electric conductivity when subject to an electric field having a carrying frequency above 100 kHz, the method comprising the steps of:
 a) providing the liquid continuous sample to a reactor having a reaction chamber for accommodating the liquid continuous sample; 
 b) applying across a region of the reaction chamber an electric field having a carrying frequency, for causing an increase in specific conductivity of the liquid continuous sample; and, 
 c) detecting information related to the progress of the chemical process resulting from the increase in specific conductivity and at least one of a breakdown and pre-breakdown condition. 
 
     
     
       2. A method as defined in  claim 1  comprising the step of:
 d) controlling the chemical process in dependence upon the detected information. 
 
     
     
       3. A method as defined in  claim 2  wherein the carrying frequency of the electric field is selected in dependence upon the dielectric properties of the liquid continuous sample. 
     
     
       4. A method as defined in  claim 3  wherein the carrying frequency of the electric field is selected to be greater than 100 kHz and less than or equal to 200 GHz. 
     
     
       5. A method as defined in  claim 4  wherein a second other carrying frequency of the electric field is selected in dependence upon the dielectric properties of the liquid continuous sample to control a second other chemical reaction. 
     
     
       6. A method as defined in  claim 4  wherein the step of controlling the chemical process comprises the step of adjusting at least one of a shape, duration, carrying frequency and amplitude of the electric field for inducing a dielectric pre-breakdown condition within the liquid continuous sample. 
     
     
       7. A method as defined in  claim 4  wherein the step of controlling the chemical process comprises the step of adjusting at least one of a shape, duration, carrying frequency and amplitude of the electric field for inducing a dielectric breakdown condition within the liquid continuous sample. 
     
     
       8. A method as defined in  claim 4  wherein the liquid continuous sample is one of a single component and a multi-component liquid continuous sample. 
     
     
       9. A method as defined in  claim 8  wherein the liquid continuous sample is a liquid continuous multi-phase system. 
     
     
       10. A method as defined in  claim 8  wherein the liquid continuous sample is a petroleum product.